Review: KPT – 'Fluid Bonded / Disarm'

KPT

'Fluid Bonded / Disarm'
SELF-RELEASED

US electronic producer KPT (Kept) returns with a surprise new single in the form of 'Fluid Bonded / Disarm', a double a-side release that blends minimal techno with darker ambient electronics and industrial for a haunting and atmospheric pair of tracks to chill and unnerve.

It's been a couple of years now since KPT's full-length debut which showed off an innovative blend of edm, techno, darkwave, industrial and ebm that was reminiscent of acts such as Diamond Version, Aphex Twin and Blush Response.

With this latest single it's easy to hear the progression in KPT's sound – those elements are still there but the slow and methodical 'Fluid Bonded' shows a more overt step towards minimalism and dark ambience. Whereas 'Disarm', while still linking in with the atmosphere of the previous track, has a more up-tempo beat and therefore a more subversive dance feel to it.

As with previous releases the production quality remains top-shelf. Even with darker experimentation and heavier ambience the tracks keep a melodic appeal that, especially in the case of disarm, translates nicely into a dance-friendly direction akin to Juno Reactor.

This is another strong release from KPT that raises a lot of questions regarding the potential direction of the next full-length album. It may be a far more atmospheric and experimental work than his last outing... or this may be a brilliant curve-ball. Either way 'Fluid Bonded / Disarm' is a solid single.

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Review: KPT – 'BLK EYE'

KPT

'BLK EYE'
SELF-RELEASED

US electronic producer KPT (pronounced) released a stunning album only last November in the form of 'Alive By Machines', a short but sharp album that blended the darker more underground sounds of darkwave, industrial, and ebm with attention-grabbing edm and modern techno reminiscent of Diamond Version, Aphex Twin, and Blush Response. Fast-forward one year and the release of 'Blk Eye', a collection of singles remixed and remastered for good measure is here to keep us going until the next full release.

If you weren't told before hand this was a collection of singles, you would be none the wiser. While the album doesn't feel as thematically unified as 'Alive By Machines' the changes KPT has kept everything in line and singular in focus. Songs such as 'Fake', 'Something Went Wrong', 'Gift', 'Innermost', and 'Abandon' in particular show a steady progression and greater balance between dark experimentalism and infectious minimalism.

Production-wise the songs sound like they were recorded in one sitting, never-mind over the course of a few years. The skilful hand behind the desk has bridged the gaps between the songs and collated them into a more satisfying whole. There is a playfulness to the experimental nature of this recording, and in places it is less self-assured than others, but it has been executed at every step of the way to the highest quality.

KPT is a challenging act. One that likes to try and confound rules regarding melody and rhythm, but nonetheless even a stop-gap collection of singles is still a compelling listen. 'Blk Eye' is a tasty and satisfying release, but one that on the surface still lacks that rounded out vision of a full-length album release, and hopefully with these tracks collected, contextualised and released KPT will be back sooner rather than later with the follow-up to 'Alive By Machines'.  

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Review: KPT – 'Alive By Machines'

KPT
'Alive By Machines'
POLKADOT MAYHEM

The recent single from KPT, 'Descent' (featuring Jekka) was a tantalising peak into the forthcoming full-length studio album from the US-based dark electronica producer. Blending the dark and deep textures of darkwave and industrial with the attention grabbing accessibility of modern edm, it promised great things from it's parent album 'Alive By Machines'. And it is a promise the album makes good on.

The album blends elements of dark ambient, dark wave, industrial, edm, and techno with ease. It is quite a unique and hard to pin-down sound, but there are definitely parts that recall the likes of Diamond Version, Aphex Twin, and Blush Response. It's a sound that would sit well on the Raster-Noton roster very comfortably as it straddles the line between experimental and accessible effortlessly.

Tracks such as 'Ventilate', 'Revol' (featuring Gus Watkins), 'Collapsed', and 'Burn' give the album a fiercely intelligent and almost confrontational backbone with heavy distortion, dark atmospheres and creepy samples peppering the tracks. On the other hand tracks like 'Open', 'Descent' (featuring Jekka), 'Disintegrate', and 'Reconstruction' frame a core edm sound with darker textures and overtones for great effect.

The production is slick and modern with even the harsher elements sounding more textural than abrasive. While the ambient and dance elements, though subtle, are used to great effect. The balance between melodic and harsh is perfect all the way through and the mix creates a nice sense of space that gives the whole album a cinematic quality.

This is a great album that will appeal to anyone who likes the more challenging end of the edm spectrum. But fans of industrial, dark electro, and ambient music will also find lots to get stuck into. KPT will certainly be a name to keep an eye out for as an exciting rising name in both the dark electronica and edm genres with cerebral releases such as this.  

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Review: KPT – 'Descent' (Featuring Jekka)

KPT
'Descent' (Featuring Jekka)
POLKADOT MAYHEM

KPT (pronounced “Kept”) is a name slowly making waves in the underground edm scene. Having released a handful of singles and EPs since 2012 KPT is already being tipped for big things, and if the lead single from his soon to be released full-length début album 'Alive By Machines' is anything to go by, they may be right.

The single is 'Descent', and features the sublime vocals of Russian alt-pop vocalist Jekka who lends her unique style to a track that blends industrial, ambient and idm with ease. Beginning with industrial style distorted beats the song begins to unfurl as subtle ambient textures intermingle with the beats and the synth and vocal melodies intertwine. The end result is a hard, yet melodic track that is rich with texture and depth that just begs you to dance.

The track is dark, and atmospheric yet completely accessible and polished. It is a smart single that shows that genres such as industrial and darkwave can add depth of flavour to the accessibility of edm. The full length album will definitely be one to keep and eye out for.  

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